Well, literary agents seeking teen time travel novels should look for engaging plots. A plot that keeps the reader guessing, like a mystery within the time travel. Maybe the teen has to solve a historical mystery that's related to their own family's past. And of course, the writing style should be accessible to teens. It shouldn't be too complex or full of jargon that they won't understand. Another aspect is the emotional depth. The teen characters should experience a range of emotions that teens can relate to, such as confusion about their place in time, excitement about new discoveries, and fear of the unknown.
They should look for unique time travel concepts. For example, a time travel mechanism that is different from the common ones like magic portals or time machines. It could be something more creative like a special heirloom that allows the teen to travel through time. Also, strong teen characters are important. Teens in these novels should have distinct personalities, goals, and growth arcs throughout the story.
Literary agents should seek teen time travel novels that have a good balance between the time travel element and the teen experience. The time travel should not overshadow the real - life problems and emotions that teens go through. For instance, a teen might be dealing with friendship issues at school while also traveling through time to ancient Rome. The historical accuracy in the time - travel parts is also something to consider. If it's set in a particular historical period, it should be well - researched so that readers can learn something new. And the dialogue should sound like how real teens talk, which will make the characters more believable.